AN EPIC POEM, 



RISE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST 
OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, 

FROM THE BIETH OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH 

TO THE 

ARRIVAL OX THE SPOT AVHICH THE PROPHET BRIOHA:^! YOUXG 
PROXOUXCED TO BE THE SITE OF THE FUTURE 
SALT LAKE CITY. 



BY HANNAH TAPFIELD KINQ. 



salt lake city, utah: 
Published at the Juvenile Instructor Office, 
1884. 



DEDICATED BY PERMISSm 



PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR. 



JK, 



LC Control Nuinbe 




tinp96 032053 



PREFACE 



"jV yTY heart and brain were wedded in the conception of the 
1 enclosed poem, consequently it is the pet of the union. 
Truth is its motto, and I ever felt that God blessed me in the 
work. 

I am aware that there are errors in the construction of it, 
: for which 1, alone, am responsible. But I present it to my 
I brethren and sisters with a conviction that comforts me — that 
j they will not prove severe critics. God speed the work. 

Hannah T. King. 

Salt Lake City, May 5th, 1884. 



P EPIC POEM. 

— — s-^i-^-i— — — 

Columbia ! daughter of a mother fair, 
Favor' d of God! His hand is plainly there — 
Yes, Albion ! all the world doth see 
The hand of God is over thine and thee ! 
Thou hast sent forth the noblest sons of earth. 
Daughters of genius too, have had their birth 
Upon thine ancient, venerated soil, 
And sturdy peasants — hardy sons of toil, 
With souls, un warped by vain scholastic lore — . 
Truth, was the word their simple banner bore ; 
As sturdy bulwarks of her heaven-blest land 
On firm foundation, they do ever stand — 
Columbia ! this brief picture is thy parent home ! 
Flesh of her flesh thou art, and her bone thy bone ! 
Thou also hast been blest in very deed — 
The hand of God displayed in all thy need ; 
Thy people hail from every land and clime, 
Thy precious land o'erflows with "oil and wine; " 
And thou dost bear upon thy scroll of fame 
A grand, a good, a great and glorious name ! 
That mid the demi-gods of high renown 



6 



AX EPIC POEM. 



Thon art the potentate who wears the crown — ! 
Not studded with the gems of mortal earth, ! 

The lap: iarr : f the Gods prodaimed their birth ! 1 

Yes. 7 ^ ine f Washington wifl live j 

Halo" d ID ::::5::: : hat ever give 

To every he " :: : f eiy mind and eye ' 

A charm. :^ : : : : will time defy; 

A world c : L i s ^ retched to raise the scroll ,j 

That doth : W:;shington enroll; 'P 

And other j.: :: i s nth to view 

As model — :ne 5: : .t _ . : true — 

For rights of n:/..i: ' '.f:: t::.--. he stood. 

The calm, the wise, the brave, the ever good; 

No stain was on his 'scutcheon, all was bright 

With that effalgence shed by might and right ! 

Balanced with eqnal poise, and in the scale 

That justice holds, troth ever mnst prevail 

.^ound tKis cynosnre of glorious Ught 

A galaxy of nam^ bnms ever bright! 

Yts. men of genius, who have carved their name | 

Tmm: rial ever on the scroll of fame ! 

Eestorers, renovators of their race. 

Earnest men who honored every place! 

Aloft this young republic they have boni^ 
Her shafts, and pillars all their work alone, 
3Ien of the mass, yes practiced, working men, 
Whose toils but brightened all their mental ken ! 
Not weakened by the luxuries of wealth. 
By which patricians often murder health ; 
Murder more foul, when oft, alas! we see 
The glorious soul enslaved by luxury !) 
Such were the men who drove the car of state. 
Men. ever ready, never known "too late! " 



AlSr EPIC POEM. 



7 



"On hand," their motto was, to do and dare, 
Whate'er their Tribune might to them declare ; 
And peace and plenty reigned throughout the land, 
And love fraternal, bound this struggling band ; 
A young Republic all the world admired. 
And every breast its principles respired — 
The virgin soil was full of lusty health, 
And teeming ever with prolific wealth ; 
Almost spontaneous did its products thrive, 
And ' 'milk and honey' ' flowed within this hive ! 
And "oil and wine," and every needed good. 
Enriched its people with "convenient food" — 
Freedom of thought, of speech, on all bestowed, 
And each man's castle was his own abode ! 
Freedom to worship Grod without a test, 
In every way that seemed to each one best ! 
Simple and pure in their religious zeal, 
Maintaining brotherhood in woe or weal. 

Thus young America in beauty grew. 
In strength and virtue, for a world to view ! 
And spirits groaning under time-worn laws 
Inhaled her freedom and embraced her cause ; 
Drank from the halcyon cup she held in hand. 
And made their home in her progressive land ! 
Till every nation, kindred, tongue, and clime 
Increased its numbers with increasing time. 

This land of promise ! land so dearly won. 
Land of Columbus ! God's appointed son 
To search, discover, by undaunted will. 
And set it up as "beacon on a hill," 
Because it was proclaimed by heaven's decree 
This land the gospel cradle was to be. 



8 



AN EPIC POEM. 



Columbus ! mystic, venerated name ! 

Why was't this nation did not bear the same ? 

Strange myst'ry ! sure gratitude alone 

Should place this name upon her jewelled zone ! 

Great man ! however grand and great thy name ; 

Thou little dreamed of thy eternal fame ! 

That on that hemisphere thou didst exhume, 

The gospel light of heaven should illume ! 

Illume, expand, and blazen forth a light 

Till every creature should behold the sight ! 

Behold the light, and hear the voice of Grod, 

Pass out ye nations from beneath the rod ! 

The rod of tyranny, coercion — all 

The trammels, dogmas, bigot- wrought to fall 

Upon the head, the heart, and on the hand 

Of every being priestcraft could command ; 

Till mind was veiled and reason was dethroned. 

And judgment hoodwinked — even self- disowned — 

But young America essayed to give 

Freedom of worship, yes, to all that live 

Beneath her flag ! and this urged many a heart 

To boldly rise and from their home depart, 

From ' 'kith and kin, ' ' from native land to hie, 

To seek a people lauded to the sky. 

For the bold stand they had so nobly taken 

That from their rights they never might be shaken. 

England, with all her might could not retain 

Her mighty hand upon her bridle-rein, 

When King of nations had decreed the time 

When England must her sovreignty resign — 

For when sent forth His fiat none can stay, 

He works His programme in His kingly way, 

Yes, firm and absolute are His decrees, 

The wisest man sinks low in his degrees, 



EPIC POEM 



Q 



If he but dreams thai he can circumvent 

The plans on which the Great director's bent. 

Man is an instrument, present, as of yore. 

To work the plans Jehovah wrought before. 

And as a ''polished shaft" within the hand 

Of God's omnipotence — he can command 

The elements, and see ! they will obey 

And passive bow to his imperial sway I 

How? because he bends his will to God's control 

And hears its whisperings that inflate his soul : 

This makes him grand and great before all eyes. 

That few ignore his counsels, or despise: 

He carries strong convictions everywhere. 

That there's a power with him to do and dare 

Whate'er his heart or brain inspired dictates. 

All doubts this spirit quickly dissipates : 

He stands as tho' a king, endowed with p'^wer — 

A God-made man for eveiy trying hour. 

For all emergencies that may o'ercloud 

The "silver lining"— speaks in whispers loud. 

Stand to your post with an unflinching heart, 

And I will bid your enemies depart I ^ 

Thn- s:: o;l this fa^■ored land be&re the world. 
Her stars and stripes the favoring gale unfurled. 
Happy for her had she retained her truth 
Which she upheld and fostered in her youth ; 
But now a change comes o'er her early dream 
Anocher spirit enters on the scene : 
Because the God of nations raised the hand 
Of mighty England ofl" this growing land, 
She rose in pride, despising e'en her birth, 
And held her parent as of little worth : 
And like an upstart child, we sometimes see. 



10 AN EPIC POEM. 



Dreamed in her arrogance she was yet to be 
The queen of nations — which she might have been 
Had she retained her early mind and theme ; 
But as her wealth increased she grew in pride, 
Her "pomps and vanities" spread far and wide, 
And with it rank corruption everywhere. 
Caused a miasma that did soon impair 
Her very vitals — yes, the nation's health 
Became endangered by her teeming wealth. 

Thus stood America in pomp and pride. 
Deeming her car of state would over- ride 
All other nations, that she yet should stand 
A regnant queen, the nations to command ! 
Ye grand, old nations, learn a lesson here : 
'Neath all your grandeur have a godly fear 
To not o'erstep the bounds prescribed for you 
By Him to whom all fealty is due ; 
Columbia ! had she known her day of grace 
She still had stood in all her "pride of place," 
Still sweetly basking in the smile of God, 
She ne'er had felt the scourging of his rod, 
But would in prism tints, both far and near. 
Have shown the glory of her future sphere. 

From small beginnings great events arise, 

The day of small things, then, let none despise. 

A child is born ! is oft a common cry, 

A small announcement to the ear and eye ; 

And few e'er ponder what that child will be, 

Or try to peer into its destiny. 

There have been mothers of a prescient soul 
Who by the eye of mind have read the scroll 



AN EPIC POEM, 



11 



Of destiny unfolded to their ken — 
Prophetic intuition lent to them ; 
And they at once have said, "This child will be 
A child of destiny, by God's decree, 
He will be great, I feel it in my soul — 
Grod grant him wisdom and a wise control. 
That in the life that now before him lies, 
He may be grand, by being ever wise ; 
He may be great by being ever good, 
Yes, grand and great, because he has withstood 
Temptation — in the road traced out for him. 
And set his foot on all that led to sin — 
May he learn government, may he learn rule — 
Himself the empire, and himself the school, 
Before he dare presume with untaught hand 
To govern others or assume command ; 
Were he to conquer many a mighty host, 
If slave to self — he's but a planet lost — 
Father in heaven ! hear a mother's prayer 
Offler'd in Jesu's name— I leave it there — 
It must be heard when Christ and motherhood 
Unite to offer prayer in holy-rood. ' * 

'Tis said in holy writ God's kingdom will 
Arise without observance — good or ill ; 
And truly this, the fifty years just past, 
The prophecy has verified, and made it fast ; 
Listen, my readers, and I'll tell a tale, 
(If words and inspiration do not fail). 
That thousands have already heard and blest 
The voice that brought the key of heaven's behest. 

In Sharon, Windsor county, State Vermont, 
In bleak December, twenty-third of count, 



AX EPIC POEM. 



The year one thousand, hundreds eight and five, 

A voice was heard that made a home alive ; 

A child was born— a child of humble birth — 

His parentage not nobles of the earth, 

But artless, honest, simple, good and kind, 

Just such as for His purpose God designed; 

This child, a boy, grew up as others grow, 

The world's vain pomp and pride he did not know; 

Alternate play and work filled up his day 

Of life, till fifteen years had swiftly passed away. 

Then came a great excitement round his home, 

Contention on religion was ''the bone," 

They gnawed together, each would not give in, 

Till their religious zeal became a sin ; 

The Methodists awoke the sects around. 

And all the country wakened to the sound, 

United multitudes arose to share 

The universal shout, ''Lo, here I Lo, there ! " 

Till Grod's sweet Spirit from the scene was driven. 

And little in their midst was left of heaven ; 

Some contending for the Methodist, 

Some for presbyterian ranks enlist ; 

The clergy lent their influence and their voice 

That all in this commotion should rejoice, 

And test their faith to see which was the best, 

Declaring such a wise and holy test ! 

A scene of great confusion soon ensued. 

Priest against priest became unsaintly rude ; 

Convert 'gainst convert rose in holy strife. 

Till with confusion was the region rife, 

And every mind was shaken to its base, 

And doubt and discord sat on every face! 

The boy, a unit, was through all the scene, 
And deeply pond'ring each presented theme, 



^^V EPIC POEM. 



13 



Till all engrossed, his youthfiil mind became 

As though 'twas burning in a lambient flame, 

And all excited to a strange degree, 

Beeause the Church of Grod he could not seCj 

And oft the question rose within his mind, 

Who's right ? who's wrong ? I see it not defined ; 

His mind became chaotic, dark with doubt, 

All light and truth seemed from his soul shut out — 

This boy. this child, with just his fifteen years 

Of brief experience in this vale of tears, 

Stood pond' ring, all alone, what he should do, 

Were any faithful ? were they all untrue ? 

When, lo ! a voice came whisp'ring in his ear, 

"Ask God to tell you, He will make it clear !" 

If any wisdom lack, then ask of God. 

He gives the blessing and He wields the rod, 

He freely gives to all, upbraiding not, 

The meek, and humble never are forgot ; 

Ask, boy. and unto you it shall be given, 

You shall receive the glorious truth of heaven ! 

He hears the voice it sinks into his heart, 

He felt no human wisdom could impart 

What his wrung soul was seeking to obtain, 

And till imparted he could ne'er regain 

The peace of mind that now to him was lost, 

And which he felt was of such priceless cost, 

Wisdom he knew he needed, yes, indeed. 

Stranded and lonely, yes, in very deed 

He stood alone, a boy, a child, who thought 

Himself so insignificant and so untaught. 

Yet big with aspiration was his soul. 

But all chaotic, all without control, 

And all so young — so all untutored, too — 

'"Father, my Father 1 I will go to you." 



14 



AN EPIC POEM, 



With that he rose and took his lonely way 
Into the woods, to seek his God and pray ; 
It surely was a childish, simple prayer, 
Yet heard and answered was it— then and there. 

Stay, reader ! let us muse awhile and see 
That prostrate child upon his bended knee — 
All, all alone in audience with God — 
Oh, Father ! save him from sin^s scorching rod. 
Let angels guard Thy youthful servant's life, 
And save him ever from all sinful strife ; 

Hush, hush ! we truly know not what we ask — 
He came on earth to learn a heavy task ; 
No crown is gained without a mighty cross — 
All glory in the future, claims in time a loss— 
*'Get thee behind me, Satan," Jesus said, 
When Peter would have saved Him from the dead. 

'Twas on the morning of a lovely day 

In early Spring, that he went forth to pray, 

And eighteen hundred twenty was the year 

When first he raised his voice in vocal prayer. 

I'll poetize his words, for he alone can tell 

The scene that followed — none could do so well : 

*'I scarcely had begun to hear the sound 

"Of my own voice, when darkness gathered round: 

''It seemed that fell destruction lingered near, 

' 'And almost made me sink into despair. 

"Exerting all my powers, I called on God 

"To rescue me from this afflictive rod, 

' 'From out the grasp of this infernal power, 

"And save my soul in this tremendous hour; 

' 'J ust at this moment, in my utmost need, 



AN EPIC POEM. 



15 



''I saw of light a pillar, bright indeed, 

* 'Exactly o'er my head, outshine the sun, 

^ 'It shone descending — me it fell upon ; 

''As soon as I beheld it shine around, 

"The bands were broken which had held me bound ; 

"Amid the light that overshadowed me 

' 'I saw two persons, glorious forms to see! 

"They stood a little raised above the ground, 

"Enveloped in bright glory all around ; 

"One spake, and kindly calling me by name, 

"Proceeded to inform me why He came, 

"And pointing to the other, said, 'My Son, 

"My own belov'd One, hear ye Him alone !' 

"When self-possessed and in accordant state, 

' 'I calmly ventured to interrogate, 

"And asked Him who was wrong and who was right 

"Of all the churches, wrangling with their might? 

' 'The answer came, 'J oin none, for none are right ; 

"Abominations are they in my sight, 

"Yea with their lips they do to me draw near, 

"But, oh! their hearts are cold, and hard, and sear; 

"They teach for doctrine the commands of men, 

"The form of godliness is all they ken, 

"The power thereof they boldly do deny, 

"And my omniscient Self they do defy! — ' 

"Again He bade me not with them unite, 

"And much He told me that I may not write; 

"Our conference ended and He went His way, 

"And left me soul- determined to obey. 

' 'When I resumed my usual frame of mind 

"The scene was changed, and I felt left behind." 

But as it was with Paul in days of yore, 
When standing to defend himself before 



16 



AN EPIC POEM, 



The mighty King Agrippa, and lie told 
The glorious vision which he did behold, 
A very few believed the words he said, 
Others reviled him and pronounced him mad ; 
But this did not destroy the truth he told. 
He knew a vision he did sure behold ; 
A vision with his eyes he knew he'd seen. 
Which their revilings could not contravene. 
Or make it null and void, of none effect. 
And so felt Joseph Smith, Grod's son elect. 

The boy in rapture told the friends around 
The glorious vision and the truth he'd found; 
He thought they would rejoice at all he'd seen, 
And list delighted to the wondrous theme ; 
But, no ; although obscure and young in years 
A persecuting spirit now appears 
Upon his path where'er his footsteps wend, 
The great and learned ones upon him bend 
The eye of censure and his words despise, 
Accusing him of subterfuge and lies ; 
But firm and faithful he still dared to say, 
' 'I saw a vision in the face of day, 
"A boy I am, unlettered in my youth, 
' 'But Grod gave me a tongue to speak His truth ; 
''I've eyes and ears, a heart to comprehend 
•'The grand revealings of my Heavenly Friend ; 
"And who am I, that I should dare withstand 
"The words of God and His express command? 
"I've seen a vision, though I might be slain, 
"I'll this reiterate while my life remain : 
"I saw my God in robes of purest white, 
"Standing above me in an ambient light ; 
"A glorious personage beside Him stood, 
"The only Son of the Almighty God." 



AN EPIC POEM. 



IT 



Now time rolled on with ever noiseless tread, 

And Summer suns rolled o'er his youthful head, 

The boy had almost into manhood grown, 

The vision from his mind at times had flown, 

Or rather faded from his youthful brain, 

And then in vividness returned again — 

His mind to worldly scenes was sometimes drawn 

In waywardness of youth as time rolled on. 

But well he knew upon his heart and brain 

The finger of his God for years had lain. 

And well he knew if he should disobey 

The voice he'd heard, he would become a prey 

To all the powers of evil that surround 

The foul apostate, wheresoe'er he's found; 

Again to prayer and supplication he 

Besought his Grod upon his bended knee ; 

Implored forgiveness for his follies past, 

And in the path of truth to hold him fast, 

And bend a list'ning ear to his appeal 

And prayed He would Himself again reveal ; 

That he might know his standing and his state 

Before the God his soul did venerate ; 

He prayed in faith, assured he should be blest 

By hearing once again his God's behest. 

While thus in prayer, a blaze of heavenly light 
Illumed the room above the midday bright, 
And in the midst a person, heavenly fair. 
Before his wondering eyes stood in the air; 
His flowing robe was white beyond compare. 
His feet, his hands, his neck and head were bare ! 
His person was all glorious to be seen. 
His visage truly Hke the lightning's gleam ; 
The room was bright, but round his person shone 



18 



AN EPIC POEM, 



Eifulgence, dazzling like a glorious zone ; 

When first lielield, his soul was struck with fear, 

But soon his influence made this disappear ; 

He called his name and said from God he came, 

x\nd also said Moroni was his name ; 

He spoke of plates of gold upon whose face 

Were traced the records of a by-gone race; 

That on this continent their home had been, 

And that the gospel on those plates was seen, 

The fullness of the gospel brought to them 

By Jesus Christ, the Savior of men ; 

He said that with these plates there would be found 

Two htoncs with silver bows encircled round, 

Joined to a breast-plate, which did all compose 

What ancient scripture ever doth disclose, 

The Urim and the Thummim, to translate 

The hidden language of each golden plate ; 

He then the Testament to him did quote 

And the first chapters Malachi had wrote, 

YeS; chapters third and fourth he did recite, 

And on these scriptures threw a greater light. 

And told, the Seer Elijah should display 

His mission, ere the great and dreadful day, 

And cause the children's hearts to turn indeed 

Unto their fathers with a newer creed : 

If not, the earth in waste and death must be, 

Ere yet Christ's second advent we could see ; 

He quoted ancient scripture to display 

The hand of God upon the present day, 

Told him in silence he must sacred hold 

The mighty truths he had to him foretold ; 

W^hile thus conversing Joseph's mind became 

In open vision and he saw most plain 

The place wherein the plates so long had lain. 



AN EPIC POEM. 



19 



The light then gathered in concentre' d form 
Around his person, which was then upborne 
As through a blazing column, and the room 
Its former darkness did at once resume. 

As he lay musing on the wondrous scene. 
And marveling greatly upon all he'd seen, 
When, lo I the room again was bath'd in light, 
The heavenly messenger was again in sight, 

He then repeated all he'd told before, 

And spoke of aweful judgments coming o'er 

The earth, and all that it should then contain, 

Of famine, sword, and pestilential reign. 

And having told him all these things once more. 

He left ascending as he'd done before. 

Impressions now weighed deep on Joseph's mind, 

All sleep had fled, repose he could not find. 

He lay o'erwhelmed with all he'd seen and heard, 

And pondering very deeply every word. 

When, lo I again he stood beside his bed, 

Repeating over all he twice had said, 

Told him that Satan, knowing he was poor, 

Would try to tempt him. as he'd done before, 

To get the plates — from them would wealth accrue, 

But that God's message he must keep in view, 

Xo other motive, influence, or desire. 

He must be careful did his heart inspire, 

Or else he'd ne'er obtain the precious gift 

That should above all earth his soul uplift 

Again he left him pondering all he'd said — 

Then morning broke, and he arose from bed; 

The gospel morning dawned with gospel light. 

Its early beams burst on that young man's sight ; 



20 



AN EPIC POEM. 



Earth's morning dawned, and lie to labor went, 

But found his strength of mind and body spent ; 

The past night's scenes had drained all mental force, 

And his corporeal nature sant, of course, 

Upon the ground he fell exhausted quite, 

And in oblivion nature took respite. 

Until he heard a voice call out his name, 

The heavenly messenger, yes, it is the same ; 

He bids him rise and seek his father's ear, 

And tell him all that did to him appear, 

The vision, the commands — and he arose. 

And to his father he did all disclose. 

And he rplied, "My son, it is the voice 

"Of God to thee, be humble and rejoice, 

"And be obedient to the heavenly call, 

"And know His Spirit 's with thee all in all.'* 

Then to Cumorah did he wend his way. 

The heavenly mentor's mandate to obey ; 

"Gro," he had said, "and I will meet thee there" — 

And now that youthful soul became aware 

The powers of darkness thickly hovered round, 

And sought to hold him in its trammels bound ; 

The power of strong temptation on him fell, 

And promised wealth and power if he would sell 

The plates of gold, that he would soon procure, 

Trying his untaught spirit to allure ; 

Opposed to this the power of Grod displayed 

The glorious mission waiting, if obeyed, 

The realization of that sacred book. 

That should bless all who on its leaves should look. 

And to the world should messengers be sent, 

Proclaiming truth and peace and sweet content. 

And on the glory of their God must rest 



AN EPIC POEM, 



21 



The eye of faith, fulfilling his behest, 
And all the special purposes designed 
To rouse a sleeping world and bless mankind. 

The great temptation being past and o'er, 

Though brief its durance, yet had been full sore, 

The youth arose, and with an honest will 

Pursued his way to famed Cumorah's hill ; 

He knew the place the instant he arrived, 

Yes, there it lay apon the hillock's side ; 

He set to work and soon displayed a stone, 

A massive lid upon the treasure thrown. 

With lever and determined will he raised 

The cover up — and there, oh, heaven be praised ! 

The plates, the Urim, Thummim, breastplate, too, 

Lay all revealed to his astounded view ; 

Just as the heavenly messenger had told. 

So did the youth these wond'rous things behold. 

He now essayed to raise and lift them out. 
And with a holy awe he looked about, 
When, lo ! his heavenly guide and mentor stood 
Close by his side, as ever calm and good ; 
Who told him, No ! the time had not arrived 
To take them hence — this year, and three beside, 
Ere they are taken from that sacred place 
To form an epoch in the human race ; 
But every year upon that self- same day 
He there would meet him, if he would obey 
The strict injunctions he had ever given, 
Injunctions tendered by the Grod of heaven — 
The young man awe-struck, solemnly agreed 
Each year to meet him, as he had decreed, 
And hence each year upon that self- same day, 



22 



AN EPIC POEM, 



To hill Cumorah he did wend his way, 
And there the heavenly guardian surely stood, 
To give instruction, which was heavenly food, 
To this recipient, young, untutored mind, 
The mighty revolution Grod designed. 
In these last days upon the earth to send 
The grand beginning of the mighty end. 
His mind untaught in all the lore of schools 
(Which oft displays a paradise of fools). 
Heard and received the teachings not of earth, 
How God's own kingdom should receive its birth 
On this terrestrial globe, there never more 
To be overthrown, but stand the world before 
In this last dispensation, just begun, 
When all things should amalgamate in one. 

These four long years, on one appointed day 
He climbed the hill Cumorah to obey 
The heavenly messenger, who never failed 
To meet the prophet boy, whoe'er assailed. 

At length the allotted time had passed away. 

And now arrived the all-momentous day ! 

There faithful stood the heavenly friend to meet 

The never- failing youth with love to greet ; 

Last day — of all those watching, waiting years. 

Through which he'd pondered oft with prayer and tears; 

Last day of boyhood, and of youthful life, 

He enters now a road of thorns and strife. 

The sacred relics now to him were given, 

As keeper of the same, installed by heaven ; 

A sacred charge upon him then was laid. 

And he responsible for them was made — 

His simple words I here will poetize, 



AJ^ EPIC POEM, 



23 



They bear the ring of truth and no disguise : 
"That if through carelessness or base neglect 
"In me, God's searching Spirit would detect, 
"Cut off from all the blessings promised me, 
"And by His Spirit should forsaken be, 
' *But if by watchful perseverance, I 
"Should hold them as 'the apple of mine eye,' 
"Until he came to re-possess them all, 
"God would protect me, and I should not fall." 

And now the mentor and the friend was gone ; 

Holding his precious charge, he stood alone ; 

He turns to home, retracing back his way, 

Musing most deeply on the coming day, 

And all the days of all his future life. 

And saw in vision all the woe and strife. 

And persecution with her heavy rod. 

That would assail him — then he turned to God ! 

A glorious vision chased all doubt and fear, 

And plainly shewed him that his God was near, 

And softly whispered, "Let thy faith not fail, 

"And till thy work is done, none shall prevail ; 

"God will make bare His arm to hold His own, 

"And none shall stay it till His work is done." 

His form became erect, his liquid eyes 

Were raised in adoration to the skies ; 

He thought of home, where parents, good and kind. 

In love would greet him, and where peace he'd find ; 

There consolation, and support and rest. 

Received the pilgrim and pronounced him blest. 

And now in strength the Prophet Joseph rose, 
To fill his mission till his life should close ; 
Truly God's ways are not the ways of man, 
He veils in mystery His almighty plan— 



24 



AN EPIC POEM. 



Man calls proud reason to his selfish aid, 

Ascends the throne which he himself has made, 

And dreams his sovereign intellect can span 

The mighty problems worked by Grod for man ! 

He takes some master-mind that draws the mass. 

Some great patrician of the royal class, 

Perhaps a millionarie, who by his wealth 

Can purchase hearts, and brains, and lives, and health. 

And sometimes souls — yes, even souls are sought, 

And by this demi-god are often bought ! 

Man reasons, such must be for greatness born, 

And all below this standard wakes his scorn. 

In all the cycles of revolving time 

When Grod has needed, for some wise design, 

An instrument of human mold to work, 

And carry out His will, and never shirk 

The mission on him laid He ever sought 

A strong unbiassed soul — by wealth unbought, 

Deaf to all worldly grandeur's, syren voice, 

That calls her votaries ever to rejoice. 

And shun all care and sorrow, to enjoy 

A life of ease, a life without alloy. 

Inflates his mind with greatness of his birth, 

Forgetting ever that 'tis all of earth — 

Such, such is not the one that God selects. 

His eye omniscient such a one rejects ; 

He takes a being, by the schools untaught, 

Yet on his soul the hand divine has wrought 

An aspiration grand that lifts his soul 

Into a region of divine control ; 

Grod makes him play the harp that He has strung. 

And through the empyreum has that music rung ! 

He calls, "My Father, shew me but the way. 



AN EPIC FOEM, 



25 



''And with Thy help, I will Thy laws obey." 

And there presenting heart, and brain, and will, 

Listens to hear that voice so soft and still. 

That whispers to him. Come, and I will be 

A Grod, a teacher and a friend to thee ! 

Give me thine heart — 'tis all I deign to ask, 

Receive my lessons as a pleasant task, 

Obey my words and all my bidding do, 

And I will help you to be firm and true ; 

Gro to the world and boldly take thy place. 

And as a flint, so ever set thy face ; 

Let every nation hear the words divine, 

To every people of whatever clime, 

Speak out the words I lay upon thy tongue. 

To poor and rich, to wise, to old and young ; 

Arouse the nations from their heavy sleep. 

In which their priests have drugged them, long and deep; 

Tell them to wake, repent, and lift their eyes 

To Him who sits enthroned in yonder skies! 

Raise them from earth and all that drags them down 

To things terrestrial with their frail renown. 

Tell them Grod's judgment — yes, the hour is near,. 

The hour eleventh of this earthly sphere, 

When all the dispensations that are past 

Shall now be gathered into one — the last ! - 

Tell them the words their Bible long has told. 

How they may gather into Jesus' fold : 

"Repent, and be baptized," that all their sia 

May be remitted and new life begin ; 

This is the only door by which they can 

Enter the Church of Christ, "the Son of iMan ; " 

In all humility He led the way. 

That all may find it easier to obey ; 

Tell them to take their Bible, which they say 



2 



26 



AN EPIC POEM. 



They ever loved to study and obey, 

Tell them with prayer to take that book in hand, 

And as a child desire to understand ; 

Then shall their ej^es be opened and they'll see 

The gospel plan I now commit to thee ; 

It has been taken from this earth away, 

But I restore it, in this latter-day ; 

Which in its fullness has not been on earth 

For eighteen hundred years ; alas ! this dearth 

Has thrown the world beneath a heavy cloud 

And wrapt the human mind as in a shroud ; 

But now the time has come to break the spell 

The powers of darkness long have weaved so well — 

My gospel in its fullness preach to all. 

And blest, thrice blest are those who hear the call ; 

Hear and obey, then practice what they know, 

And bid farewell to worldly pomp and show ; 

A royal Priesthood I commit to thee, 

The Son of Grod thy great High Priest shall be ! 

The Church you organize shall bear His name. 

The Church of Jesus Christ do you proclaim ; 

My Spirit shall attend you— never fear, 

I name you Prophet, Revelator, Seer ! 

Though courts arraign and wicked men assail, 

Press onward, upward, they shall not prevail ; 

Through that grand quorum, mystic three in one. 

Thou art immortal, till thy work is done! 

Blest words ! what ear could not attentive bend 
To catch the mandate which these words portend ? 
This youthful mind was all attuned to hear — 
Hear and obey, for love had cast out fear ; 
Strong in that strength which God alone bestows. 
The youthful Prophet from that conference rose, 



AN EPIC FOEM. 



And as a flint his visage firmly set, 
And memory strengthened, never to forget, 
He started forward to at once commence 
His work of labor and of recompense. 

And now fierce persecution tracks his way, 
And follows close upon him night and day, 
And wicked men hold counsel and debates 
To circumvent him and to steal the plates ; 
And every stratagem they could invent 
They did resort to in their vile intent, 
But by the wisdom God to him had given, 
He held the treasures as revealed by heaven, 
They had no power to take them from his hands, 
Because he did obey the Lord's commands ; 
By those bright instruments he did translate 
The records graven on each sacred plate. 
And by obeying all he had been told, 
These sacred records he had power to hold. 
Until the work enacted by his hand 
Was all completed as by Grod's command ; 
True to his word the heavenly bearer came 
And in his keeping took them once again ; 
And in his hands they are this very day. 
Safely secreted, securely laid away ; 
But I anticipate — let me now return 
To show the gospel plan for all to learn. 

The spirit of the gospel plan 

Is peace on earth, good will to man ; 

One touch of it produces kin, 
And makes us love where just before 

We had not thought to seek and win 
A friendship never known before— 



28 



AN EPIC POEM, 



'Twas in this hour, when all alone 

Young Joseph stood in pond' ring mood, 
Bending his steps again to home, 

To meet the loving and the good ; 
In deep abstraction was his soul, 
Entranced by a divine control ; 
When one he met who gave his hand 
With heart and brain to his command ; 

And said, ''Henceforth I'll be to thee 
"A friend most true, 
' 'Your work — mine too, 

*'Say, shall these words cemented be ? " 

And gladly Joseph gave his hand 
As friend and brother to command — 

He knew that God had sent this man, 
A fellow laborer to be 
Co-worker, and a scribe was he 

To daily write the gospel plan ; 
And day by day he labored well, 

And heaven's blessings did descend 
And gave him words wherewith to tell 

The marvelous wonders daily penned. 

So Oliver (such was his name). 
The scribe of Joseph thus became. 

And plain to see, the Lord did smile 
Upon the labors of this man, 

Because in him He found no guile 
But love for all the gospel plan. 

And condescended to reveal 
His will in all the coming time. 

Enjoined him to be ever true 

To Joseph and the gospel, too. 



AN EPIC POEM 



29 



Reprove him if he saw the need, 
His faults admonish if his eye 
In Joseph should a fault espy, 
And in return receive from him. 
If he saw need 
Rebuke, indeed, 
To save his soul from death and sin. 

And now another friend appears, 
A man of wealth, a man of years. 

And Joseph, being very poor. 
Could not make head-way in the work — 

At once he laid his case before 
This man of means, who did not shirk 

The call that met him at the door. 
But freely gave to Joseph all 

He needed for the present time, 
And Joseph on the Lord did call 

To bless him with the sight divine, 
And Martin Harris, such his name, 
In all good faith to J oseph came, 

To get the characters he'd drawn 
From off the plates 
And thus relates 

The reason he the wish did form. 

^ ' In New York city lives a man 
Who much I wish should duly scan 

These characters that you have drawn 
From off these wondrous, golden plates, 

A judgment he at once will form, 
And hear how he on them dilates ; 

Professor Anthon, yes, 'tis he, 
A noted linguist of the day, 



30 



AN EPIC POEM. 



I want to know if he will see 
The wondrous words they do portray — " 

He takes them and he spreads them out 
Before this noted, learned man, 

And he decides, without a doubt, 
The whole translation as it ran. 

Correct, yes, more than he had ever seen 

Translated from Egyptian theme, 

And gave a writing 'neath his hand 

To shew that he did understand 
They were correct 
Without defect. 

In all his manner kind and bland — 
"And so dismissed me, but, alack ! 
"In one brief moment called me back 

"With 'How the young man found the plates?' 
' T answered : By an angel guide. 

"Give me the paper that relates 
"To their translation, certified 

"That they were true' — and from my vest 
"I gave the paper back again ; 

"When, lo ! his fingers hotly pressed 
"And tore it into shreds like rain, 

"And said that angels no more came 
"To visit man on earth again, 

"But if I'd takejto him the plates 
"He quickly would their themes translate." 

I told him part of them were sealed ; 
With angry look — 
"A sealed book," 

He said, "to me is not revealed." 

Strange that some minds will not believe 
The truths, which yet they do receive — 
If penned by any human hand 



AN EPIC POEM. 



31 



The truths advanced they then accept, 

But if declared 'tis God's command, 
Of light their mind is then bereft ; 

They plainly say, I will not see, 
In worldly wisdom I am wise ; 

There's enmity 'twixt God and me, 
I'm great in learning of the schools, 

' 'A burning and a shining light' ' 
(One of the paradise of fools), 

I stand before the world in sight — 
And thus the world 
Has ever hurled 

God's truth away, and left all dark. 



Now these two men, first Elders in the Church, 
Oft held communion, and were prone to search 
And find — if 'twere permitted them to know, 
How God on them remission would bestow 
Of all their sins? And on a certain day 
They both went forth into the woods to pray ; 
That God would show to their inquiring mind 
How He the rite of baptism had defined. 
For in translating they'd been brought to see 
It was imperative that they should be 
Immersed in water, as within a grave, 
And rise to newness from the liquid wave. 



And as they prayed a heavenly being came 

Descending in a cloud of ambient flame! 

And laid his hands on their depending head 

In ordination — and to each he said : 

' 'On you, my fellow-servants, I confer 

''In Messiah's name, without demur, 

' 'The Priesthood Aaron held, which now he holds, 



32 



AN EPIC POEM, 



' 'The kej^s of ministering angels, which unfolds 
"The gospel of repentance, baptism, too, 
"By immersion, that you may renew 
"Your life, and by that act your sins remission 
' 'Will be accorded by divine commission. ' * 

He gave command they should at once proceed 

To carry out this act in very deed, 

And gave direction Joseph should baptize 

His friend and brother, which was good and wise, 

Commanding Joseph in his place to stand, 

And take his brother by his own right hand. 

And by his Priesthood place him 'neath the wave. 

As type of death and symbol of the grave, 

Then raise him up, by this expressive type, 

His sins remitted and renewed his life: 

"Then on his head thy hands devoutly lay, 

"That you the Aaronic Priesthood may convey, 

' 'And then let Oliver extend to you 

"The priestly office, which I bid him do, 

'And in the future you shall both be given 

"The higher Priesthood from the God of heaven." 

The all immaculate the Son of Man, 

Took this low step when He, His work began ; 

Immersed by John within the liquid grave, 

A sinking world and fallen man to save ; 

He set the pattern, opened up the way. 

And His disciples must the same obey — 

At once, like children, they did all fulfill 

The mandate given of Jehovah's will; 

In praise and prophecy they raiged their voice, 

And God's own Spirit caused them to rejoice. 



AN EPIC POEM, 



33 



The wondrous plates translated, form, for aye ! 

Another Bible for the latter day ; 

On whose historic pages are portrayed 

Cities and peoples long in ashes laid : 

Some great and good and some immersed in crime 

That called destruction from a hand divine ; 

But some as saviors rose to save the land 

At times avertings the destroyer's hand, 

At others deep transgression filled their cup, 

And all in bitterness they drank it up ; 

But some from out the mass as prophets rose, 

Proclaiming truth till life itself did close, 

Mormon, as one of these whose honored name 

Stands forth emblazoned on the scroll of fame ! 

'Twas he who hid those wonderous plates away, 

To be exhumed in this the latter day ; 

The hill Cumorah was the place he chose 

(Till they were needed ) for their safe repose ; 

He sealed them up, as records all divine, 

By angel hands exhumed in fitting time, 

And left these words, ''I bid you all farewell, 

"Within the paradise of God to dwell 

''Until my spirit shall again unite 

"With my pure body in the realms of light ! 

"And I am brought triumphant through the air, 

"And all the glories of the ransomed share, 

"Before Jehovah's pleasing bar I tread 

"Before the Eternal Judge of quick and dead." 



This modern Bible fitly bears his name, 

"The Book of Mormon," now of world-wide fame: 

Bears on its pages truth all plainly told, 

The words of Jesus to that "other fold," 



34 



AN EPIC POEM, 



That yet should hear His voice, that there might be 
One Shepherd and one fold eternally. 

Quickly the Church of Jesus Christ arose. 

Though much was met with daily to oppose ; 

But from disciple to disciple spread 

The proclamation, all so widely read ; 

A great and marvelous work was now about 

Before the eyes of men to blazon out I 

The angel flying through the midst of heaven, 

The gospel in its fullness he had given 

Again to earth— from which it had been taken 

Because the laws of God had been forsaken, 

And substituted the commands of men, 

Till gospel truth was lost to mortel ken I 

But now again must be restored to earth, 

And hence the Prophet Joseph Smith had birth! 

Raised as an instrument by the will of God 

To wield His blessings or inflict the rod ! 

This edict was proclaimed, both near and far. 

And thousands flocked unto its guiding star ; 

The ancient order J oseph did restore 

As Jesus laid it down in days of yore ; 

In every part it was restored the same, 

No link was missing in the Priestly chain ; 

Elders to all the earth were now sent forth. 

They traversed east and west, and south and north, 

And as 'twas said, "as doves to windows fly," 

So to Christ's standard did the thousands hie ; 

Till every nation — every land and clime, 

Had here its type, endorsed by rite divine ; ^ 

It seemed a nation in a day was bom 



♦ Baptism. 



AN EPIC POEM. 



35 



In face of foes, impediments and scorn ; 

Bowed was the haughtj^ mind, the stubborn will, 

Truly that scripture many did fulfill, 

That as a little child that soul must be 

That to Christ's gospel bows the head and knee ; 

Thousands arose and gladly hailed the call 

And laid their Isaacs, riches, yes, their all 

Upon God's altar of the latter day. 

If He saw fit to make no other way — 

But, oh! He's ever merciful and kind. 

And in the thicket oft a ram will find, 

Which as a substitute He will accept 

Of those, who righteously His laws have kept ; 

Or, if for reasons wise it is decreed 

The cup so bitter must be drained indeed, 

They feel a power that will bear them up. 

And render tasteless every bitter cup ; 

Through every trying and bewildering scene, 

Upon the arm of their Beloved they lean. 

His spirit whispering, "fear not thou art mine," 

And their responding Father — I am thine ! 

Yes, Father ! here upon my bended knee 

I dedicate myself, my all to Thee ! 

My body, soul and spirit all to Thee, 

For time, and more, for all eternity ! 

The compact's sealed, and ratified above 

Recorded by the angel known as Love — 

Where this is done, the Saints of Latter-days 

Find trials light— their life is prayer and praise ; 

Petitions almost cease, thanks- offering fills 

The cup with nectar, which their God distills 

From time to time, ah ! yes, from day to day. 

Because their spirits doth the Lord obey ; 

Their feet upon the rock of ages stand 



36 



AX EPIC POEM, 



As the everlasting hills that doth command 
The admiration of the wond'ring world, 
Upon whose scroll, when it shall be unfurled, 
The world's great history shall on them be traced. 
Though now all blurred and by old time defaced — 
Oh I Saints of Latter-days, lift up your voice, 
And through whatever scenes, rejoice, rejoice I 
Suffer no barrier to impede your way 
To light and knowledge, and eternal day. 

In ancient times the Savior sat and taught 
His chosen twelve, with gospel spirit fraught, 
And shadowed forth the work of latter days, 
And persecutions that the vile would raise : 
Shewed, if the Master they would so abuse 
The servant need not look for better use — 
And ancient prophets with divining rod 
Traced the location of the house of <Tod ; 
On mountain-tops it should erected be, 
Above the level of the mighty sea 
Thousands of feet (and thus it stands to-day). 
And said to it should myriads wend their way, 
Repeating each to each the prophet's word, 
Which in that mountain should again be heard ; 
The laws of C^od — the paths again be shewn 
In which the flowers of truth were thickly strewn. 
For ''out of Zion shall the law go forth,"' 
And from the east God's word resound on earth I 
And in that day the Lord shall set His hand 
The second time to call from every land 
The remnants of His people scattered round 
In all the nations where they shall be found ; 
The gospel trumpet-call they all shall hear. 
The islands of the sea, both far and near. 



AN EFIG POEM, 37 



Shall hear the sound and gladly leave their all, 

Yes, home and country, to obey the call — 

An ensign to the nations God will raise, 

And Israel's "outcasts" chant the hymn of praise ; 

The long dispersed of Judah's race shall yet 

Be also gathered by the gospel net. 

Upon the sixth of April, day of Spring, 
In eighteen hundred thirty (dates that bring 
Associations with their magic spell 
That language, e'er so fluent, cannot tell) 
Upon this day the Church of Christ on earth 
With just six members ushered into birth ! 
Then day by day fresh members were enrolled. 
And God gave strength that made each member bold ; 
A mighty phalanx soon essayed to stand 
Before the world, united heart and hand ; 
They each one knew they had God's truth embraced. 
The cost they'd counted and the danger faced ! 
And Joseph, as their captain led the van, 
A noble, daring and undaunted man ; 
The principles embraced to all gave strength. 
They knew their hight and depth, their breadth and 
length ; 

To them this knowledge was indeed a power 

That bore them upward through the darkest hour ; 

Through scenes of persecution, hunger, cold. 

Through death and bloodshed, all stood firm and bold ! 

Through loss of home and friends — they loved most dear, 

They firmly stood, repressing e'en a tear ! 

The angel of their presence led them on. 

And God's own Spirit they relied upon ; 

And scenes were witnessed and experience won, 

That made them stronger as they journeyed on ; 



38 



EPIC POEM. 



There was a witness in eacli heart that bore 
A witness of the God they did adore — 
They loved their Prophet, they obeyed his word, 
And knew 'twas truth, that from his Hps they heard; 
And 5^et, through all, they looked beyond the man, 
And knew 'twas God that led that mighty van ! 
Knew that His Spirit was the moving power 
That moved their Prophet every day and hour. 
And hence the faithful, and the good, and true, 
From light divine their inspiration drew ; 
And universal restoration now 
Must be a tenet, to which all must bow, 
And that a gath'ring place must yet be shown, 
To which Christ's Church and Saints should gather 
home — 

And persecution with her iron rod 
Helped to propel the purposes of God ; 
And drove them out where'er they set a stake. 
Watching with bitter hate each move they make, 
Watching like deadly serpents, coiled and sly, 
Watching unceasing with an evil eye, 
Watching each movement for a brick to pile, 
The storied Babel of their fiendish guile. 

In Kirtland town, Ohio, was the Fane 

The first of temples to Jehovah's name ! 

There heart and hand united did they work. 

No heart, or hand, or brain were known to shirk ; 

But even in this calm, secluded spot, 

By rancorous spirits they were not forgot ; 

Who with infernal hatred still pursue 

This little band of Saints so firm and true — 

From Kirtland homes, and from their temple driven, 

Yet on they moved, and praised the God of heaven ! 



AN EFIG POEM. 



39 



On, on, they went, locating here and there, 

Until Nauvoo became their chosen lair ; 

Here they bought land, built houses made a home, 

And built their temple, worthy of renown ; 

A God-inducted house, unique, and grand. 

In which, like Jared, they could see the hand 

Of Him they worshiped with devoted awe 

And in its precincts, claim the higher law ! 

By ''bone and sinew" was the structure reared. 

And to each heart that temple was endeared ; 

For in it well they knew they should receive 

Endowments, blessings, that would not deceive ; 

Within its sacred walls, in peace arrayed, 

Yiews of eternity would be displayed. 

The will of God to every Saint made known. 

And rich endowment all their labor crown ; 

Located hear they dreamed they had regained 

Homes — where sweet peace and rest could be attained ; 

Again they set to work with heart and hand 

To build their homes and cultivate the land ; 

And in their temple — blessed house of God, 

Felt safe and shielded from the tyrant's rod. 

And now twelve men were summoned each by name, 

Whom Joseph and his brethren did ordain 

To be Apostles in the Church of God ! 

To organize, to bless, or wield the rod ! 

And Bishops, too, were named to hold a place 

That every niche be filled in Priestly grace ; 

And Edward Partridge — God Himself did name 

To sit presiding Bishop o'er the same ; 

Because God said, his heart like one of old, 

Was void of guile— could not be bought or sold — 

And other Bishops, too, were called to be 



40 



AN- EPIC POEM, 



As temporal Fathers, and to oversee 

The mighty gatherings that were taking place, 

And to provide for this 'migrating race ; 

And Edward Partridge did alone preside 

O'er all the Bishops, as heaven did decide — 

Seventies, Pastors, Teachers, Priests and Deacons, 

Each in their place as evangelic beacons, 

To guide, to warn, direct and help along 

The weak, the simple, and at times the strong ; 

For, oh ! the strongest must at times be tried. 

To prove to all, and to themselves, the side 

On which they surely stand ; that they may know 

Their true position, and their colors show ; 

Like well-trained soldiers, each one in his place, 

With eye upturned unto his captain's face ; 

With listening ear to catch the watchword given. 

And know the counter- sign that leads to heaven ! 

Standing as minute men from day to day. 

From hour to hour, all ready to obey 

The call, the summons to whatever post. 

Whatever kingdom, country, or coast ; 

Such is the order, such the pliant will, 

The Priesthood speaks, and every tongue is still. 

And now, among the Twelve there stood a man, 
None deeming then, he was to lead the van ! 
Oh! few I ween, who with prophetic eye. 
The future leader in that man did spy ! 
A man unlettered, of the schools untaught, 
And by the great and learned, all unsought ; 
An unpretending, unassuming man — 
But view his form, his head intently scan ! 
That temple of the brain was formed to be 
A man, foreseeing, where but few could see— 



AN EPIC POEM, 



41 



Power was written on his form and face, 

And showed a man to lead, and hold his place ! 

A man undaunted, never born to fail, 

With will unbending, never known to quail, 

Hardships and poverty his play-things were — 

His humble table all the poor could share ; 

He had no purse to offer — but his hand 

Could help to lift the load— his brain command — 

The blocks that clogged the wheels to fall away, 

(A cloudy morn brought forth a prosp'rous day ;) 

Till eyes were turned upon him with a gaze 

As if awakening from a dreamy maze ; 

A gleam prophetic o'er the mind would dart — 

This man has yet to play no common part 

In the grand drama that before us lies ; 

When raised the curtain on our peering eyes ; 

Surely there is a role for him to fill 

As primo domo in the coming bill ! 

Thus glimmerings of truth would shoot athwart. 

The minds of those on whom conviction wrought ! 

And Brigham Young was Joseph's faithful friend. 

His most obedient to the tragic end. 

And now the Church was in its role complete. 

Endowments given, all beyond defeat; 

God's Priesthood on the earth in perfect form, 

And His right arm held back the infernal storm 

That sought to overwhelm these earnest men. 

And drive God's Priesthood from the earth again ! 

But 'twas too late, the glorious work was done ; 

A firm foundation was at least begun. 

And all the super- structure must proceed, 

Just as the sower, sows the goodly seed. 

The breath of heaven and the sun's bright ray. 



2* 



I 

42 



AN EPIC POEM. 



The pearly dew and the prolific clay, 

Combine to surely organize the grain 

That shall the human family sustain ; 

Cause and efi'ect form an eternal law 

In which no evil can insert a flaw — 

Let but the Saints of Latter-days proceed 

To do their work in faith, in very deed, 

And calmly wait the endorsing seal of God 

To crown their labors, or avert the rod — 

They know all this, the tale of other years, 

When each has waded through a vale of tears. 

When each has fell the iron rend the soul, 

And cause convulsions faith could scarce control, 

Has told them plainly God Himself was near 

To hush the sigh and dry the falling tear, 

To make them strong whatever yet may come, 

To labor on and say, "Thy will be done" — 

Yes, yes, Saints know all this, but yet my rhyme 

I'd deem imperfect, wanting this sweet chime ; 

And 'tis our duty and our sweet employ 

To oft recall our sorrow and our joy. 

In both of which the hand of God we see. 

To keep us ever from repining free ! 

And whispers, God is just, the same each day, 

A loving Father, when His Saints obey 

The laws He has laid down for life and health, 
Which make for all, a world of untold wealth ; 
For gold and silver is but wealth in vain 
To those stretched helpless on a bed of pain ; 
And health of body and a mind that's sound, 
Make life delightful on whatever ground ; 
Appreciation of the good that's given 
Prepares and fits us for a higher heaven ; 



AN EPIC POEM. 



43 



But let me gather up the drooping chain, 
And take the devious path of Saints again. 

The time was coming — Joseph knew full well 

When Saints no longer in ''the world" could dwell ; 

And cast in meditative mood — his mind, 

Where a location he for them could find ; 

The rocky mountains rose before his eye, 

The eye of mind, that doth so much espy ; 

And more, the eye prophetic scanned a place, 

Where ne'er had set the foot of white man's race ! 

And this he told, and every mental eye 

Was turned in that direction, to espy 

The spot their Prophet felt inded to be 

A land of rest, to where the Saints must flee ! 

Flee from the enemies that sought their lives. 

Because God's word was precious in their eyes ! 

Because that God and J esus Christ to them 

Was God and King, and Savior unto men ! 

Because He'd spoken, and they'd heard His voice ! 

Endowed a Prophet, and they did rejoice ; 

That He the gospel in its fullness brought. 

And to the world its precepts would have taught, 

But no — they cried as in the Savior's day, 

' 'Away with him — and so with these away 

That hear his doctrines and his words obey ;" 

The self-same spirit and the self- same word 

By this devoted band was felt and heard — 

"But wait — that man ! that Leader ! Ho, that man ! 

"Let him go free ? — is not within our plan, 

"A trial ! — needs no trial — make a row 

"And take, seize him, anywhere or how ! 

"Place him in jail— the law is in our hand, 

"Let all be watchful, none the law withstand. 



44 



AJV EPIC POEM. 



"His brother Hyruiii, see, you sieze him too/' 
In plans they're one, and to each other true ! 
Thus foully kidnapped were those two good men, 
And in that jail were murdered, there and then ; 
Shot down as dogs ! as savages would kill ; 
Yet all these years the law has rested still ; 
No, not a finger moved in their distress, 
Or smallest whisper, hinting at redress ! 

Could all this foul transaction ever be 

Concocted in a land of liberty ? 

A land — to all the world has vaunted forth, 

It was the land where liberty had birth ! 

A land, whose Constitution guarantees 

(Amid a host of libera] decrees), 

The right to worship Grod as all think fit, 

According as their conscience may edict ! 

"Life, liberty and happiness" pursue 

As shall accord with each one's solo view ; 

And none before had ever broken down 

That righteous code which gained a world's renown ! 

And none before, since that had been a law. 

Had mankind witnessed what the realm then saw, 

Two men of noble life, and mien, shot down — 

Not in a bye-way — but a well-known town, 

Not in the dusky night — in open day. 

And yet no man of law was there to say 

The word or give the summons to arrest, 

Those rank assassins in their murderous zest ! 

There lay the dead before the eyes of all, 

Shot down as dogs with rifle and with ball ; 

Another man, their most devoted friend, 

Was also shot, and life seemed at an end 

But friends were nigh, and saw his ebbing life, 



AX EPIC POEM 



45 



And bore his body from the scene of strife ; 

And friendship's kind and lovino^ hand was laid 

In Priestly office on that wounded head, 

And on that body wounded near to death, 

And faint and labored came the fluttering breath ; 

His life was spared, but to this very day 

The wounds he then received assert their sway, 

And hence a living martyr he'll remain, 

A living witness of Satanic reign ; 

Men bore unblushing on their godless brow 

The badge of Satan, and they bear it now ! 

Will bear it on the resurrection morn — 

And then they'll moui-n that ever they were born ! 

Will call on mountains in their weight to fall 

And hide them from the righteous judge of all ! 

With God I leave them, He doth ever say, 

"Vengeance is mine, and I will sure repay." 

The scene is changed, how blank all life appears ! 

Joseph and Hyrum are baptized in tears ! 

A people mourn — a people kneel and pray 

To be sustained through every coming day ; 

Brigham arises from his bended knee, 

Rises in tears — the mourning people see. 

His heart is bruised, he mourns his Prophet dead, 

But in his place he stands the noble head 

Of the Apostles — yes, the chosen Twelve, 

And in their hearts and brains he seeks to delve, 

To see if they uphold him heart and hand. 

And if they're willing he should take command — 

He was their Leader now by right of place, 

And Joseph's spirit shone upon his face ! 

And when he spoke it seemed indeed the voice 

Of their lost Joseph ! and they did rejoice ; 



46 



AN EPIC POEM. 



And unto Brigham all their fealty gave, 

And loyal were to him unto his grave — 

Now from their homes the Saints were forced to move, 

And leave Nauvoo, the city which they love ! 

Their Prophet, and their Patriarch were slain, 

And in that place they could not now remain ; 

Unto the Rocky Mountains eyes were turned, 

And hearts with hope and expectation burned ; 

Joseph had named it as a place of rest 

For Saints to flee to, where they should be blest ; 

Away from G-entile rule and Grentile rod — 

And Joseph's word was as the voice of Grod 

To all that people — Brigham at their head, 

By Joseph's word were all that people led ; 

And all arose and left their happy home, 

Across the wilderness they now must roam, 

To find an Eldorado in the west 

Where they could worship Grod and be at rest. 

At certain epochs in the world's career 
Upon its disk will mighty men appear, 
When men behold them they at once declare 
Them men of destiny, and of model rare ! 
Men, born to rule, to lead creation's van. 
And draw all souls in their magnetic span ! 
Such men are earnest born, and in their souls. 
Are bound by laws the universe controls — 
Such men are agents in the hand of God 
To call down blessings or to wield the rod ; 
He gives them power and inspires their brain 
To mould an empire that shall live and reign 
In righteousness ; or may be to scourge 
The wicked nations with a wholesome purge, 
Or found a Church in which to place His name 



AN EPIC POEM, 



47 



Where all shall worship in a holy Fane ; 
A Fane, a temple, Grod- endowed and owned, 
Yes, blest and owned of God, for this renowned — 
Such men are agents — He has called them forth 
To carry out His will upon the earth ; 
They are of larger heart and larger brain, 
Of stronger will and of enduring frame. 
Of higher type yet human in the main ; 
Undaunted, unimpassioned, formed to bear 
Life's grand kaleidoscope, in its wear and tear ; 
They have a goal on which their eye is fixt, 
They have a cup to drain whose draught is mixt 
With sweet and bitter, yes, with good and ill, 
The good so bright enamels every pill ! 
Thus on they press upon their glorious track. 
Not for a moment dream of looking back ; 
With vigor forward rusti and cast aside 
Whatever obstacle impedes their stride, 
Forward ! their watchword, onward ! their refrain ; 
The goal, the goal ! for this each nerve they strain ! 
Such, such were Joseph, Hyrum. Brigham Young, 
The mighty quourum, who this work begun, 
Ordained and chosen by the King of kings, 
To carry out all He Himself begins ; 
Behold the men ! a glorious day shall see 
Columbia bending to the potent three ! 
The veil shall fall from off her bandaged eyes. 
And gladly will she laud them to the skies — 
She now would sneer upon the words I trace. 
But through much suffering she will seek for grace. 
And Grod will give her grace and knowledge, too. 
And then she'll know them, and their mission true ; 
She'll also know that God was at the helm, 
And for this very work He chose her realm ; 



AA^ EPIC P0E3I, 



A land of promise, fore- ordained to be 
The gospel nursery — all the world should see 1 
A land on which the precious things of earth 
Were all in embryo, but shall yet have birth ; 
Her ribs of iron and her veins of gold ! 
Her costly treasures and her wealth untold ! 
The everlasting hills, beyond whose bound 
This choice, good land to- day is surely found — 
The ancient prophets in the days of yore, 
Gazed down time's vista with prophetic lore ! 
And Jacob, when the hour came that he must die, 
Summoned his children all beneath his eye, 
And 'neath his voice that he might bless them each, 
And with that blessing, also, wisdom teach — 
''Above his brethren," he to Joseph gave 
(His much loved Joseph, who was born to save 
His father's house), the portion he decreed 
Above his brethren should be great indeed ! 
"A fruitful bough, whose goodly branches, all 
"Being well watered, should run o'er the wall — 
"His bow abode in strength, his arm and hands 
"Were, by the God of Jacob, made as bands 
"To hold, preserve, and faithfully dispense 
"Those costly blessings as his recompense, 
" 'Blessings of heaven,' blessings of the deep, 
"Blessings of earth and heaven he should reap." 

And now on this prophetic land to-day 

The gospel banner, that shall yet bear sway, 

Has been unfurled, and thousands flock thereto, 

As ancient prophets said that they should do — 

But I forestall — again let me return 

To Brigham, planning for the Saints a bourn 

Across the trackless desert at a time 



AX EPIC FOEM. 



49 



Wlien Winter threw around her chilling clime ! 

But Brigham rose in his majestic way, 

That ever carried an imperial sway 

O'er all who heard that firm, magnetic voice, 

Causing each ear to tingle and rejoice, 

Because it gave "assurance of a man" 

That could embody all he dared to plan, 

Because he knew that God was on his side, 

His great Dictator, his eternal Guide I 

Strong in the strength of Israel's God he stood, 

Which made him strong 'gainst evil, and for good, 

Against a mighty phalanx stood at bay. 

And never greater shewn than on that day ! 

Yet, true, a noble band, all true as steel, 

Stood round about him, both for woe, or weal ; 

x\ll breathless, waiting for his one command, 

When up went every heart with every hand ! 

Oh, noble band of men. and women, too ! 

God and His angels did encircle you ; 

I seem to know the very breath of heaven 

For your inhaling was distinctly given ! 

And hence a portion of immortal life 

Sustained and blest you through that war and strife : 

Enabled you to stand by Brigham' s side 

With saintly vigor and with saintly pride ; 

Forceful, consistent, most devoted, too. 

True to your God. and to your leader true ; 

True to the principles you had embraced, 

Though by that truth from homes you were displaced ; 

This truth, sublime devotion, all you gave 

To aid your Leader, helped to make him brave, 

And he was one who knew the hight and depth 

Of human hearts in all their length and breadth ; 



3 



50 AX EPIC POEM, 



And all the workings of the human mind. 

The complex mechanism soul enshrined 

Within a temple suited to its needs, 

Through which is brought out great and noble deeds ; 

Yes, Brigham knew that every faithfiDd Saint 

Would aid the cause by work, and never faint ; 

Great was the confidence on either side. 

Which gave each party strength and holy pride, 

That oft assured, and re- assured their soul, 

That God's own Spirit did their hearts control ; 

Thus on they passed, rejoicing as they went, 

With each an altar, yes, in every tent ; 

Songs of rejoicing did their voices raise 

Each morn and even, songs of prayer and praise ; 

And special prav : : e from every heart 

That to their Leader. Cxod would strength impart, 

And wisdom, jjatience, every needed grace 

That might uphold him in his onerous place ; 

Their prayers arose with fervor, strong and deep, 

And with a watchfulness that knew no deep; 

With such a benison around him thrown 

He stood as on an adamantine throne ! 

Thus faith unfailing and undaunted will 

Made him through all, the hero-leader still — 

Like Cromwell, he in all his moments owned 

^'The Lord of Hosts," so victory ever crowned 

His plans, his labors, his unflinching zeal. 

Which ever were exerted for the weal 

Of all that mighty host, whose hearts did rest 

As chOdren clinging to a mother's breast. 

To him they looked to comfort and protect; 

To him they looked for counsel to direct. 

They knew he communed hour by hour with God. 

They knew he could command, or wield the rod I 



AN EPIC POEM. 



51 



They all acknowledged he received from heaven 
His delegation — hence the honor given ; 
He ever taught them, everyone, to pray, 
That they, as well as he, might know the way 
That Grod was leading all this gathered host, 
That not one soul through ignorance might be lost ; 
His word was law, to which the people bowed 
Freely, as Israel when in Sinai's cloud ; 
Their love to him the form of rev'rence took. 
They hung upon his gesture, word and look. 
Without a murmur they obeyed commands. 
Though forced from homes to seek on other lands 
Another spot, all barren, bleak and bare, 
A nucleus for the Saints to gather there. 

Napoleon. Barbarrossa, Hofer, Tell, 

In him, the germs of these concentred well ! 

Mahomet, Moses, Europe's voice proclaims 

Brigham the mirror of these two great names — 

Respect and love, to him were freely given 

Allegiance — types of which are known in heaven ! 

Who cannot see, for sure 'tis plainly seen, 

That with this people God has ever been? 

Guiding, directing, placing at the helm 

A man He organized to form a realm, 

A kingdom all the world has prayed would come, 

In which His will should on this earth be done 

"As it is done in heaven" — so Jesus taught. 

And for this type on earth His Priesthood wrought ; 

Slow in the progress, but the sequel grand. 

And all the process shows Jehovah's hand. 

Thus day by day and night by night they went, 
And through their weary travel felt content ; 
Brigham, and God, and angels, band them round, 



52 



EPIC POEM. 



Sublime their faitli, they walked on holy ground ; 
As children trusting on a father's care, 
This mighty people never knew despair ; 
Implicit faith that Grod was at the helm 
Of Zion's ship — no sea could overwhelm, 
Was just the faith these Saints of latter days 
Bore in their hearts, and rendered prayer and praise. 
By day, by night, in sunshine or in shade. 
The daily trip these modern Spartans made; 
O'erleaping every barrier, nought could stay 
Their onward progress through the devious way: 
Such faith, united faith, could overcome 
The vast impediments on their path bestrewn. 
Nought could impede, the mighty phalanx bore 
Down every barrier, whether "aft or fore." 

And now exulting, let me dip my pen 

In "friendships' wine""^ to brighten up my ken. 

In praise of one to every "Mormon" true. 

In fond rememberance I present you — 

Friendship — a sweet republic is to all 

And blest are they who e'en one friend can call, 

For sure he is an "angel in the way" 

That makes day brighter, and the night as day ! 

How sweet to grasp a hand you know is true, 

Which long experience has endorsed to you, 

And trying scenes revealed without a veil 

A friend most faithful, never known to fail ! 

Yes, yes, 'tis sweet in trials' wearing hour 

To find a friend who has this God-like power. 

To heal the breach, or in the gap to stand ; 

Whose lightest word is viewed as a command ! 

Who with the power has the will to aid. 



* "Friendship's the wine of life." {Youik/s Xight Thoughts.) 



AX EPIC POEM 



Such friends our Father. God aloce has made I 
At such a time they come in angel guise. 
We feel they come as legates from the skies I 
We worship God with melting, grateful hearts. 
And turn to bless the one who help imparls : 
Such, such an one stretched out a helping hand, 
And by this people took a faithful stand : 
Xot for a day, nor yet with trumpet-tongue. 
In still small voice the name of Kane was rung I 
From mouth to mouth, from heart to heart it flew. 
And called down blessings on the friend so true I 
Silent he watched when he could do them good. 
And more than once within the gap he stood ! 
And clasping Brigham warmly to his breast, 
Proved himself there the friend of the opprest : 
God will reward him ever^' noble deed 
Tendered His people in the time of need ; 
In blessing He will bless this faithful friend 
With exakation that shall never end. 

Now, reader, give imagination wing. 
That you may realize the song I sing I 
Stand in this valley, raise your eyes and see. 
The • 'Mormon' ' cavalcade approaching thee I 
(Each wagon drawn by oxen. four, or six. 
Fresh from the prairie, fresh to yoke or sticks ! 
Their life had heretofore been free as air. 
Roaming the plains, or seeking out a lair.) 
Descending down the mountain's rugged side, 
Requiring tact that they may safely glide 
Adown that deep descent, which nought but brain 
And angel guiding, can bring down the train 
In safety to the place where now we stand : 
See, seel descending this devoted band, 
And, oh ! the drivers, fresh from shop or store. 



54 



AX EPIC POEM. 



A yoke of oxen ne'er had seen before : 

Imagine how they quail before the word. 

''This is your team to drive, attend and herd ! 

"Their' s not to make reply." the "Mormon" creed 

Is. "Do a.s you are told, 'tis all you need." 

In sympathy my heart has bled to see 

How good and wise those men all tried to be : 

Xo murmur passed their lips but on they strode. 

Calm, persevering on that rugged road. 

A boy was there, he just from school had come. 

And from a blessed and a happy home. 

He had been rais-d with fond and watchful care. 

And love, and peace, and joy had been his share; 

And. oh ! with sympathy my heart ha,s bled 

To see all color from that visage lied. 

He had been taught to honor and obey. 

But yet that new command caused blank dismay, 

Yet did he not reply but took the charge. 

And took his station in the train at large : 

And did his best to learn to "haw" and "gee" 

As others did that he could hear and see. 

But, oh I that fearful road, those stumps of trees 

His eye. unpracriced. sometimes never sees, 

And then the threatened fearful overturn 

Would pale his cheek, and then to fever burn : 

Yet day by day he urged himself to be 

Man among men. but still a boy was he : 

Days rolled along, some weeks had surely passed. 

It was too much, the boy was sick at last : 

Fever assailed his brain which had been taxed 

To fever heat, and all the nerves relaxed : 

He raved for days and nights, unceasing cried 

For some to help him. but he thought denied : 



AN EPIC POEM. 



55 



Driving the oxen, all his mind imbued — 

('Tis said, join not the gentle to the rude) — 

Nature at last gave way, unconscious he 

Was borne upon his bed, sad sight to see ! 

Thus was he borne along with every care 

His mother nursed him and her life was prayer 

That God would spare her only living son, 

Whose life upon this earth was just begun ; 

She called the Elders — there so still he lay, 

All, all unconscious : ''Brethren, let us pray, 

"x\noint him. lay your hands on his dear head, 

"I feel that God will spare him from the dead." 

Thus on they went and he in sleep appeared, 

His mother watched him, and the friends all cheered 

Her bowed down, broken spirit, and did bless. 

And gave her comfort in her deep distress. 

And ofc the boy would murmur in his sleep. 

And tell of dear ones who were come to keep 

Him company, and he would so rejoicel 

At last his eyes would open, but no voice, 

Keason returned and slowly health came back, 

But speech exhausted, seemed destroyed, alack! 

In vain he would endeavor to express 

His thoughts and wishes, then in deep distress 

Would weep heart-broken, and would lay him down 

As though returning health had lost its crown ! 

But faith, and prayer, and works a power raise, 

That God will own, acknowledge, yes, and praise, 

And show approval by the answered prayer, 

And such rewarded all their pain and care ; 

Time rolled along, and weeks had passed away, 

When one bright morning — one auspicious day, 

x\gain came back the long-lost silent voice ; 

Oh ! how the boy and all the friends rejoice I 



56 AN EPIC POEM. 



And, oh ! his mother, she was well repaid 

For all the anguish this sad loss had made, 

Once more in health and strength she saw her boy, 

And long and lasting was her grateful joy ! 

Oh ! many a scene throughout that pilgrim train 

Shewed sorrow, sickness, agony and pain ! 

But still the matin hymn of praise ne'er failed, 

The vesper hymn each evening surely hailed. 

Sure angels smoothed the path each had to tread. 

And tempered elements around each head ! 

They knew their Grod was with them, though a screen. 

In love and mercy hovered still between ; 

They felt His presence, though the eye, too dim. 

Could not behold the glorious form of Him, 

They knew was near, directing those who led, 

And hence obedience gave their priestly head. 

Thus on and on they went. At last they came 
From out the canyon on a mighty plain ; 
Around about, away it stretched ahead 
Room for a mighty city in its bed. 
Here Brigham took a stand and thundered, "Halt ! 
"Here, on this spot, spread forth the bread and salt ! 
"Before the Lord let incense offered be, 
' 'For all that He has done for you and me ! 
"Here we will worship, plant, and sow, and build, 
"And form before th Lord a righteous guild, 
"That shall inaugurate the laws of God, 
"With power to bless, sustain, or wield the rod ; 
"That justice, handmaid of the Lord may need, 
"With mercy tempering all that is decreed ; 
"Here on the mountain tops a standard raise ; 
"A scroll unfurled the hand of God displays ! 
"The ancient prophecies fulfill indeed, 



AN EPIC POEM, 



'To whicli all men shall rush in holy greed ; 

"To which all nations shall in gladness flow, 

"And find a refuge from anarchial woe : 

"And find a house of God, a holy fane, 

"A temple pure and white without a stain, 

"Of aught corrupting, or degrading sin, 

' 'Where Saints endowments can receive therein I ' 

A grateful shout of reverential praise 

This gratefal multitude at once upraise ; 

Brigham declared it was indeed the site 

Which he in dreams and visions of the night 

Had oft beheld, and now his natural eye 

Beheld it stretching bright, and clear, and nigh. 

Think, oh I my readers, how the travel- worn 

Rejoiced that they had reached the promised bourne I 

A home of rest, from mobs and vile men free, 

A Grod-inducted spot their home to be ; 

Where they could sow the wheat and plant the vine. 

To make the consecrated "bread and wine." 

A table truly had the Lord prepared 

E'en in the desert had His arm been bared. 

And made secui-e their water and their bread, 

With breezes pure as heaven round their head ; 

The virgin soil seemed waiting to receive, 

And soon with vig'rous hand they turned the glebe ; 

And with a will as vig'rous cast the seed 

That should sustain them in the coming need ; 

The heart, and hand, and brain, the holy three, 

A mighty quorum never fails to be ; 

And here was shown a demonstrated fact, 

By prompt suggestion, and by word and act ; 

One heart united all that mingled band, 

A hint obeyed as quick as a command ! 



I 58 AN EPIC POEM. 



The gift of leading God had largely given 

To Brigham Young — a gift direct from heaven ! 

'Twas by no effort, he just filled the place 

With will unfailing and by native grace, 

As laborer, soldier, courtier, governor, each 

In all he shone — and ne'er forgot to preach ! 

All eyes could see he was the destined man, 

He proved his fitness as the race he ran ; 

He'd been their '"teacher," ere he bore command, 

And as a brother he had clasped each hand ; 

He had the power which the gospel gives 

To all, who faithful to its teaching lives. 

To draw, attract, and win the heart and hand, 

It is a power the good cannot withstand ; 

A power that makes the evil shrink away, 

As serpents passive 'neath the charmer lay ! 

The Savior said, "If I be lifted up," 

(Meaning the cross, and thorns, and bitter cup), 

"I will draw all men unto me:" and He 

On all His Priesthood stamps the like decree. 

This holy mystic, this magnetic power, 

The holy incense of the sacred hour, 

All feel who live and breathe the atmosphere 

That Christ has perfumed, and where God is near ! 

And exery Saint of God this charm has felt, 

Encircling him as with a mystic belt. 

That hedged him in from evil every hour, 

Throwing around him its magnetic power 1 

Who does not know this ? are there any such ? 

If so, their spirit has not felt the touch, 

Thar holy touch that thrills the system through, 

Imparting life that ne'er before it knew ! 

Father, support such with Thy mighty hand, 

And give them strength in virtue still to stand ! 



AX EPIC POEM. 



59 



Clear off the mist that ignorance throws around, 
And let them know they stand on holy ground ! 
Support the true, the trembling and the weak. 
And from Thy Spirit may they wisdom seek. 
Look on Thy people in their desert home — 
To know Thy will and worship Thee they come ! 
Teach them to listen with the Spirit ear, 
To catch that still small voice that's ever near, 
That leads and guides, directs and cheers the Saint 
Of latter days, that so they never faint ! 
That so, they bear the burden and the heat 
Of daily life, and tread beneath their feet 
That which would hinder or impede their way 
Through all the labors of the latter day : 
And know their mission is endorsed above, 
That 'twas bestowed in wisdom and in love ; 
And hence must know, while faithful they remain, 
Their guardian angel will be in their train : 
Yes, heavenly convoys ever hover round 
The Saints of God wherever they are found ; 
This gave them power to bid the world farewell, 
This soothed the grief that loving bosoms swell, 
"When home and loved ones all were left behind; 
This calmed the fears of every anxious mind. 
When trials rose or foes beset the way. 
Then revelation's light shed down a ray 
Upon the sinking mind and gave it rest 
By simply knowing it had passed the test. 

Father of mercies I let thy people see, 
Their programme plainly has been traced by Thee; 
The vision of their mind, oh I make it clear, 
That they can see Thy Spirit ever near, 
Around, about, and from their leaders down, 



60 



AN EPIC POEM. 



Through all the teachings has Thy Spirit shown. 

And now behold them camped upon the land 
On which to build their homes, and God's command 
To carry out ' 'in spirit and in truth, ' ' 
And raise a pure, unworldly, righteous youth, 
That shall, when these great leaders pass away, 
Have strength to take the reins and bear a sway, 
That Grod will sanction — God and Christ endorse, 
Ensuring happiness and no remorse. 

Now years have flown, time in its noiseless flight 
That like dissolving views afi*ect the sight, 
The keenest ear must fail to note its tread 
Either beneath, around, or over head. 
He rolls persistent down the stream of time. 
And holds the denizens of earth in line ! 
A blessing is he to the good and wi^e, 
A friend to guide them back to paradise. 



AN EPIC POEM. 



61 



CONCLUSION, 

My Reader, 

If a Saint of latter days, 
Will know I've written truth in these brief lays ; 
If others read them with a mind untaught 
In the great work with which this age is fraught, 
To such I say in gentle, loving word, 
Ponder devoutly all you've read and heard, 
Ponder yet more devoutly what I trace, 
Suspend your judgment, pray for light and grace ; 
That unto you a knowledge may be given, 
That for yourself you may gain light from heaven ; 
That will reveal to you in sacred lore 
Christ's Church is on the earth, as He of yore 
The pattern gave, and now he doth restore 
The self-same pattern men destroyed before. 
Again, behold the structure ! not again 
To be thrown down, but on the earth to reign ; 
And bring about the time when every knee 
Shall gladly bow before the Holy Three ! 
And not in doubt, but with a title lead. 
Clear as the bright blue concave over head. 

Blessed pilgrims ! blessed people ! 

I have traced your journey through, 
And have seen you all located 

On the land reserved for you. 



62 



A^'' EPIC POEM. 



Years have fled— a mighty city 

Stands to-day before all eyes ; 
Hands, and hearts, and brains have labored, 

And their work none can despise. 

Beauteous city of the Saints I 
How I love thee I yes. in truth, 

Dearer, fairer, purer art thou 
Than the lovely scenes of youth ! 

They were lovely — art and science 

Shed their souhinspiring ray : 
Earthly greatness, earthly grandeur 

Bore o'er all imperial sway. 

But o'er all the realm of Utah 
Broods the Spirit. Saints adore ; 

Though an infant in her beauty, 
Peace is here — unknown before. 

Now let Tullidge form a volume 
Eyes shall read with tears of joy, 

Hist'ry of God's nucleus kingdom 
None can baffle or destroy. 

May his spirit be inspired. 

And his pen a plume of truth, 
By Grod's inspiration fired, 

To form a tome for age and youth. 

Now I lay aside my pencil, 

Lay my humble effort down, 
God and truth have been my motto, 

And His smile my great renown. 

Brothers, Sisters, be my readers, 

You my guerdon must impart, 
Let me feel my joy ifi writing 

Finds an echo in your heart. 



ERRATA 



The last M'oid but one of the second line on page 13 should be lamhem. 

On page 43, the word him should be inserted after "And talve,"in the thii'd 
line from the bottom. 

The word "moment," in ihe twenty-fifih line of page 50 should be move- 
iiieiit. 



17 IMIO- 



« 



